EP2224606A1 - A method and system for characterizing a radio channel of a wireless network using variability of synchronization - Google Patents
A method and system for characterizing a radio channel of a wireless network using variability of synchronization Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2224606A1 EP2224606A1 EP09154040A EP09154040A EP2224606A1 EP 2224606 A1 EP2224606 A1 EP 2224606A1 EP 09154040 A EP09154040 A EP 09154040A EP 09154040 A EP09154040 A EP 09154040A EP 2224606 A1 EP2224606 A1 EP 2224606A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- frequency offset
- frequency
- variation
- offset measurements
- determining
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 37
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 84
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 46
- 238000005315 distribution function Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 16
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 9
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 6
- 241000700159 Rattus Species 0.000 description 5
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000005562 fading Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000012937 correction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000003044 adaptive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003321 amplification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012512 characterization method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000006735 deficit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010295 mobile communication Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000003199 nucleic acid amplification method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001360 synchronised effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004783 Serene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001186 cumulative effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013480 data collection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001934 delay Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000737 periodic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002085 persistent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013442 quality metrics Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005070 sampling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- MTCFGRXMJLQNBG-UHFFFAOYSA-N serine Chemical compound OCC(N)C(O)=O MTCFGRXMJLQNBG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S11/00—Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation
- G01S11/02—Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation using radio waves
- G01S11/10—Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation using radio waves using Doppler effect
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The application relates to methods and systems for characterizing a radio channel of a wireless network.
- In a wireless environment, impairments of communication channels can affect significantly the performance of a wireless system. Multi-path fading is one of the most significant impairments.
- Wireless communication systems such as CDMA, WCDMA, GSM/EDGE typically require accurate timing or synchronization with a base station and this is obtained from the estimation of the frequency of the received RF signal at a mobile device. In some wireless communication systems, the minimum level of accuracy of the frequency is 0.1 part per million (0.1 ppm). However in a typical design this will be about 0.04 ppm and this is achieved through the AFC (automatic frequency controller) system of the mobile device. The AFC system measures the frequency difference between the received RF signal and an onboard frequency and applies a correction in terms of a DC voltage offset to a correction feedback loop to keep the onboard frequency synchronized to the received signal. The onboard frequency may for example be based on a voltage controlled temperature compensated crystal oscillator (VCTCXO) that is relatively stable over a reasonable period of time, so that it can be used for the purpose of measuring Doppler effect to a certain level of accuracy. However, it is difficult or impossible to predict the exact Doppler shift (or frequency offset) at the mobile device for a given moment in time. This can be attributed to many factors such as multi-path (multiple routes a signal take from the base station to the mobile device), other fading effects due to environmental changes, the variability between base station line-of-sight and the direction of travel of the mobile device, etc.
- A broad aspect of the disclosure provides a method comprising: receiving a signal over a wireless communications channel; making a plurality of frequency offset measurements in respect of the signal; determining a measure of variation of the frequency offset measurements; determining at least one of a channel quality parameter and a speed parameter as a function of the measure of variation of the frequency offset measurements.
- Another broad aspect provides a mobile device configure to execute the method summarized above. In some embodiments, the mobile device comprises at least one antenna for receiving a signal; a local frequency source; a frequency offset determiner configured to determine frequency offset measurements between a frequency of the local frequency source and a frequency of the signal; a parameter determiner configured to determine a measure of variation of the frequency offset measurements and to determine at least one of a channel quality parameter and a speed parameter as a function of the measure of variation of the frequency offset measurements.
- In some embodiments, the frequency offset determiner comprises an automatic frequency controller configured to make adjustments to the frequency of the local frequency source to synchronize with a remote frequency source, wherein the adjustments to the frequency are used as said frequency offset measurements.
- In some embodiments, the parameter determiner is configured to determine a measure of variation of the frequency offset measurements by determining a variance of the plurality of frequency offset measurements.
- In some embodiments, the parameter determiner is configured to determine a measure of variation of the frequency offset measurements by: estimating a probability distribution function (PDF) of the frequency offset measurements; determining the measure of variation from the PDF.
- In some embodiments, determining the measure of variation from the PDF comprises determining a width of the PDF.
- In some embodiments, the parameter determiner is configured to determine the measure of variation of the frequency offset measurements by: determining differences between consecutive frequency offset measurements; determining the measure of variation based on the differences.
- In some embodiments, determining the measure of variation based on the differences comprises determining a maximum difference over an observation period.
- In some embodiments, the parameter determiner is configured to determine the speed parameter by: speed = K x (measure of variation of frequency offset measurements), where K is a constant.
- In some embodiments, the parameter determiner is configured to determine the speed parameter by: defining a plurality of speed ranges; associating each range of the plurality of speed ranges with a corresponding range in the variation in the timing offset measurements or frequency offset measurements; determining a particular range of the plurality of ranges in the variation in the timing offset measurements or frequency offset measurements within which a current variation in the timing offset measurements or frequency offset measurements falls.
- In some embodiments, the plurality of speed ranges comprise: at least one range associated with pedestrian speeds; at least one range associated with higher than pedestrian speeds.
- In some embodiments, the mobile device is further configured to transmit an indication of at least one of the channel characterization parameter and the speed parameter.
- Another broad aspect of the disclosure provides a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for execution by a mobile device, that when executed, cause the mobile device to execute the method summarized above.
-
-
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a pedestrian and vehicle moving through an urban locale; -
Figure 2 is a block diagram of a first receiver configured to determine a channel quality parameter or speed parameter based on variation of frequency offset; -
Figure 3 is a block diagram of a second receiver configured to determine a channel quality parameter or speed parameter based on variation of frequency offset; -
Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method of determining a channel quality parameter and/or a speed parameter based on frequency offset variation; -
Figure 5 is a PDF of frequency offset for a moving vehicle and a stationary user; -
Figure 6 is a CDF corresponding to the PDF ofFigure 5 ; -
Figures 7 and8 contain plots of raw test data; -
Figures 9 shows plots of speed estimates as a function of frequency offset variation; -
Figure 10 is a plot of further raw test data; -
Figure 11 is a plot of further speed estimates as a function of frequency offset variation; and -
Figure 12 is a block diagram of a mobile device. - It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are provided below, the disclosed systems and/or methods may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary designs and implementations illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.
- Applicant has observed that the frequency offset of the signal received at a mobile device at various instances in time is somewhat random in nature. Applicant has also observed that the degree of variation of the frequency offset of the received signal is proportional to the speed (or motion) of the mobile device and/or rate of change of the surrounding environment.
- A simple example to explain this phenomenon will be described with reference to
Figure 1 . Consider a scenario where acar 60 orpedestrian 62 is moving in an environment as shown inFigure 1 carrying a mobile device. The mobile device updates its timing (or synchronizes) by measuring the frequency offset of a signal received from abase station 61 at time intervals and let this be at t1, t2 and t3. The position of thepedestrian 62 at time t1, t2, t3 is indicated at 70, and the position of thevehicle 60 at times t1, t2, t3 is indicated at 72. Suppose a mobile device moves through this environment at a constant speed of v with an on board clock set to hold the previous frequency accuracy. The mobile device in the vehicle picks up a signal (for example, the strongest component of a multi-path signal) at different points xv (t1), xv (t2), xv (t3) with delays (dt1, dt2 and dt3), which are the time differences between the expected and the actual received signals. The mobile device performs time compensation based on these differences. The mobile device moving at pedestrian speed picks up the signal at positions xp (t1), xp (t2) and xp (t3). The path taken by signal to xp (t1) and xp (t2) is basically the same, and results in a delay of about dt1 for both paths (only one shown). Subsequent to time compensation, the mobile device measures residual error as frequency offset Δf at each point. The following relationship exists between Δf and Δv:
where λ is the wavelength of the signal in free space and is a constant for most practical purposes (it may changes slightly under extreme changes in environmental conditions), and Δv = change in velocity over the same time period. The measured frequency offset can vary between the limit of the control loop of the synchronization circuit and the maximum allowed value of the system; for example these can be 40 and 500 Hz for a signal at 1 GHz. It has been observed that in the case of a pedestrian moving from xp (t1) to xp (t2), the variation in the frequency offset Δf, which is obtained from the received signal only from dt1 will be small. In contrast, for a vehicle moving from xv (t1) to xv (t2), the frequency offset Δf, is measured at dt2 from the signal at dt1, and the variation in the frequency offset is relatively large compared to the pedestrian case. -
Figure 2 is a block diagram of a mobile device. The mobile device has anantenna 10, RF (radio frequency)front end 12, and frequency offset determiner 14. Also shown is aparameter determiner 16 that determines one or more parameters based on the variation in frequency offset. In the specific example illustrated,parameter determiner 16 includes a channelquality parameter determiner 18 which produces a channelquality parameter output 19 and aspeed parameter determiner 20 which produces aspeed parameter output 21. - In operation, a signal is received through the
antenna 10 and theRF front end 12. The frequency offset determiner determines the frequency offset. The frequency offset measurement is reflective directly or indirectly of a frequency difference between a frequency of the received signal and a frequency in the mobile device. The parameter determiner takes multiple instances of the frequency offset measurement and determines at least one parameter based on the variation of the multiple instances of the frequency offset measurement. For example, the variance of the frequency offset measurements may be used in determining the channel quality parameter and/or speed parameter. In the specific example shown, the channelquality parameter determiner 18 determines a channel quality parameter as a function of variation in the frequency offset measurement. Thespeed parameter determiner 20 determines a speed parameter as a function of variation in the frequency offset measurement. -
Figure 3 is a block diagram of a mobile device that is a specific example of the mobile device ofFigure 1 . The mobile device again has anantenna 10 and RF (radio frequency)front end 12. In this case, the functionality of frequency offset determiner 14 ofFigure 1 is implemented in an AFC (automatic frequency controller) 30. TheAFC 30 locks the radio receiver to the desired RF signal. There are many designs/methods by which this could be achieved; one simple design/method is shown inFigure 3 . The RF front-end 12 typically contains components such as an antenna switch, duplexers/diplexers, band pass filters and a low noise amplifier. The RF front-end 12 is connected to ademodulator 32 that in the illustrated example includes amixer 34 and I/Q demodulator 36. Other or different demodulation components may be present. The output of thedemodulator 32 is passed to base-band processor 38. The base-band processor 38 produces a VCTCXO (Voltage Controlled Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator)control signal 40 which is input to a VCTCXO 42 which generates the main reference signal for the radio that is input to a PLL (phased locked loop) 44. ThePLL 44 contains afrequency synthesizer 46 and phase frequency detector (PFD). An output of thefrequency synthesizer 52 is input to a VCO (voltage controlled oscillator) 52 which generates a frequency that is near that of the RF signal. An output of thePFD 48 is passed throughloop filter 50 to theVCO 52. It shows a very specific example of an AFC that generates frequency offset which can be used in determining a measure of variation in frequency offset. More generally, any circuit/method for determining these frequency offsets can be employed. - In operation, a received RF signal enters the
mixer 34 and mixes with LO (local oscillator) signal from theVCO 52 to produce a mixed signal. In many cases, the mixed signal is a base-band signal and this goes to into thedemodulator 36 and then to the base-band processor 38, but the specifics of this depend upon the specific receiver design implemented. The base-band processor 38 generates theVCTCXO control signal 40. TheVCTCXO control signal 40 is representative of the frequency offset detected by the base-band processor 38 between the onboard reference clock or frequency and the frequency of the received signal. ThePLL 44 will lock theVCO 52 based on the control signal fromVCTCXO 42. This process is repeated periodically so long as the receiver is on. The period of adjustment for this complete loop may for example be determined by a requirement in a wireless standard. InFigure 3 ,point 54, namely the point whereVCTCXO control signal 40 is output by thebase band processor 38, is the data collection point for frequency offset measurements. Specifically, the VCTCXO signal produced by thebaseband processor 38 is representative of frequency offset determined by thebase band processor 38. This is then used in theparameter determiner 16 as described previously. - Referring now to
Figure 4 , shown is a flowchart of a method of determining a channel quality parameter or a speed parameter. In some embodiments, only the channel quality parameter is determined. In other embodiments, only the speed parameter is determined. In further embodiments, both the channel quality parameter and the speed parameter are determined. The method begins at block 4-1 with a mobile device receiving a signal over a wireless channel. In block 4-2, the mobile device collects frequency offset measurements. Note that the frequency offsets need not be absolute measurements of the actual difference in frequency; in some embodiments, they may be scaled representations of the actual difference in frequency. In some embodiments, the mobile device, on an ongoing basis, makes adjustments to a frequency of a local frequency source to synchronize with a remote frequency source. In such a case, the adjustments made can be used as the frequency offset measurements. In some embodiments, a control voltage is generated that reflects the frequency offset. In this case, the control voltage may be an example of a frequency offset measurement. In block 4-3, the mobile device determines a measure of variation of the frequency offset measurements. In block 4-4, the mobile device determines a channel quality parameter and/or speed parameter as a function of the measure of variation of the frequency offset measurements. Block 4-5 is an optional block included in some embodiments, and involves transmitting the channel quality parameter and/or the speed parameter back to the source of the signal such as a wireless access network component, e.g. a base station. - In some embodiments, the speed parameter can be fed back directly; having determined speed, in some embodiments, the channel quality parameter can be determined and fed back. In some embodiments, the channel quality parameter can be determined directly from the variation in the frequency offset.
- Having collected frequency offset measurements, embodiments of the application provide for the determination of various parameters that are a function of variation in the frequency offset. Two specific examples are a channel quality parameter and a speed parameter, each of which are detailed further below.
- In some embodiments, the collected frequency offset measurements are used to estimate a probability distribution function (PDF) of the frequency offset. The PDF is then used to determine a measure of variation in the frequency offset. Various techniques for determining an amount of variation from a PDF can be employed to determine the measure of variation in the frequency offset. For example, some measure of width of the PDF may be employed. In a specific example, "width" is determined as follows: normalize the PDF to have a peak of one; determine two points on either side of the normalized peak having a predetermined value (for example 0.5), and determining the distance (along the frequency offset axis) between the two points. The distance if the width of the PDF. In another specific example, the variance of the PDF is employed as the measure of variation. Measurement data shows that the distribution falls very close to the Standard Cauchy Distribution (or a form of Gaussian distribution), which is written as follows:
- The larger the number of samples, the more accurate the estimate of the distribution; however, a larger number of samples may also cover a time period during which the mobility of the user changes, and as such there is a tradeoff between accuracy of the distribution, and the timeliness of the result.
- In some embodiments, a number of frequency offset samples is employed that may not necessarily give an accurate overall picture of a corresponding PDF, and rather than generate a PDF first and then determine the variation from the PDF, an approach is employed that determines the variation directly from the set of samples. For example, samples over 20 seconds might be used to determine the variation in frequency offset.
- Having collected the frequency offsets over some time interval, a channel quality parameter and/or speed parameter is generated as a function of those measurements.
- In some embodiments, one sample per second is collected over N seconds (N=20 is a specific example), and at the end of each N seconds, an updated channel quality parameter and/or speed parameter is computed. Other sampling frequencies or durations can alternatively be employed. In other embodiments, a moving window of N seconds worth of samples is processed on an ongoing basis to generate a channel quality parameter and/or speed parameter.
- The following is a specific example of a specific equation that can be used to determine a measure of variation of the frequency offset from a set of frequency offset measurements:
- Variation in frequency offset within a time interval having samples from n=1,..., N:
In words, the maximum of the absolute value of the difference between two consecutive frequency offsets, over the time period, is used as the measure of variation. More generally, some approaches involve determining differences between consecutive frequency offset measurements, and then determining the measure of variation based on the differences. - Advantageously, the determination of the measure of variability of frequency offset can take place without interacting with the network; the functionality takes place within the device. The methods do not require the mobile device to be connected or be in a call. In some embodiments, this system uses the normal requirements of typical wireless standards, where the mobile device is required to carry out periodic measurement for maintaining synchronization with the base-stations and there are no additional steps required that would result in significant additional energy cost to the mobile device's battery.
- Having determined a measure of variability of frequency offset, using for example one of the methods described above, a channel quality parameter is determined based on that measure. In general, the lower the variability in the frequency offset, the higher the channel quality; the higher the variability in the frequency offset, the lower the channel quality. In some embodiments, F_offset_var as defined above is used as the channel quality parameter.
- Determining the channel quality parameter provides a channel characterization that can be viewed as a mechanism to estimate the fading effect; however, more generally, the methods provide a new channel quality parameter that may or may not directly be representative of the fading effect at a given instant of time. The new channel quality parameter can be used in any context where channel quality metric are used. Specific examples include making AMC (adaptive modulation and coding) decisions, and making data rate determinations.
- Having determined a measure of variability of frequency offset, using for example one of the methods described above, a speed parameter is determined based on that measure. In general, the lower the variability in the frequency offset, the lower the speed; the higher the variability in the frequency offset, the higher the speed.
- In general, the speed parameter can be used in any context where speed information is used. In some embodiments, the speed parameter as a channel quality parameter, the assumption being that a higher speed equates to a lower channel quality and a lower speed equates to a higher channel quality. The speed parameter can then be used in any application where channel quality is used. Specific examples include making AMC (adaptive modulation and coding) decisions, and making data rate determinations.
- The speed parameter does not necessarily need to fed back to the network. For example, in some embodiments the speed parameter is used to control operation of the mobile device. Examples of this type of operation can be found in commonly assigned co-pending
U.S. publication no. 2008/0099563 entitled "Automatic Operation of a Wireless Device Based on Physical Speed" which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. - In some embodiments, the speed parameter is determined simply as K x (measure of variation of frequency offset measurements) where K is a constant determined empirically or experimentally.
- The speed parameter is determined as a function of variation in the frequency offset measurements. Various specific examples of this will now be described. A speed parameter is a parameter that is somehow reflective of the speed of the mobile device. To name a few specific examples, this might be an absolute or differential speed value, a categorization of speed into one of a plurality of ranges, an indication of a change of categorization of speed according to a plurality of ranges.
-
- In some embodiments, a set of two or more speed ranges are defined, and the variation in timing offset (or frequency offset) is used to categorize the speed of the mobile device into one of the two or more ranges.
- In a specific embodiment, two ranges are defined. For example, it has been observed that there is a band of separation between driving (or fast changing environment) speeds and pedestrian (slow varying environment) speeds. A first range of frequency offset variation (however defined) is defined to correspond with pedestrian speeds, for example the range of 0 to 10 km/h. A second range of frequency offset variation is defined to correspond with vehicular speeds, for example, the range above 35 km/h These ranges are for the purpose of example only; different and/or additional ranges may be used. Thresholds in the measure of frequency offset variation can be used to distinguish between the different speed ranges. Note that, as indicated previously, this approach does not distinguish actual speed of the device from environmental effects.
- In some embodiments, the above-described PDF-based approach is used. The measure of variation in frequency offset, as determined from the estimated PDF, is converted to a speed parameter. When observing the measurement data of the AFC, for a stationary or pedestrian case (or a serene environment) frequency offset will have a very narrow spread of distribution. As the mobile device speed increases (or for the rapid environment change), this spread will widen. In some embodiments, having determined the measure of variability of frequency offset from the PDF, this is used to determine one of a plurality of speed ranges; in other embodiments, the measure is converted to an actual speed estimate. A sample probability density function (PDF) for the distributions associated with these two cases is shown in the
Figure 5 . - For the two cases of
Figure 5 , the above referenced Cauchy distribution with, t=0, s=12.5 for stationary case and s=25 yield a good approximation for vehicular speeds. These data are obtained from measurement data. The difference can be easily observed on the Cumulative Distribution as shown inFigure 6 . - In some embodiments, the minimum width of the PDF for the stationary case (which is similar to the pedestrian case) is due to the inherent limit of the accuracy for the AFC loop and it could be attributed to the noise in the feedback loop, short-term temperature drift, DSP resolution limits, etc. This width may set the lower limit for the speed estimate.
- The period of frequency offset measurement is typically set by the service providers and this may for example be every 0.5 seconds. With this set interval the frequency offset measurement between two successive measurements will diverge in direct proportionality to the speed of the mobile. However there exists a lower limit for the speed detection and it can be calculated as follows:
For example, if the possible frequency accuracy of the system is 0.4 ppm, then at 900 MHz, the frequency error will be +/-36 Hz. The possible worst case frequency error of a stationary mobile is 72 Hz over one second period. Since the frequency measurement is updated every 0.5 seconds, the error will be 36 Hz and this will correspond to a speed of - This would be the worst case instantaneous case. However, if one were to average 20 data points, eliminate the temperature compensation and other requirements, the speed will reduce to 20 km/h or less. This will imply that speed threshold can be set for 20 km/h, which will be well above the pedestrian speed and at the same it will be within typical speed limits of 40 km/h.
- In this section sample measurement data is provided. The measurement data presented here is for the case of mobile devices in a GRPS/EDGE network although a similar approach can be taken for narrow band CDMA or WCDMA. In these cases of WCDMA and CDMA networks, the measurement data will be taken from more than one code channel (fingers), which corresponds to taking measurement from more than one base station.
- A large amount of data was collected in several cities under various conditions. In the interest of conciseness, two cases are presented.
Figure 7 below shows raw measurement data for the frequency offset seen at the mobile device when camped on a real GPRS/EDGE Network. The data was logged for two different cases. The first case is for a mobile device traveling within a vehicle on city streets at city speeds, then on a highway at highway speeds, and finally back in the city at very low speed (less than 15 km/h). The second case is for a mobile device carried by a pedestrian walking through different levels and throughout a building. -
Figure 7 shows raw test data for the two cases. The vertical axis shows the frequency offset as a function of time on the horizontal axis. Specifically, the y-axis is the measured frequency offset between the received RF signal and the mobile expected frequency, and the x-axis is time in seconds. Generally indicated at 800 is the data for the first case, and generally indicated at 802 is the data for the second case. The data seen inFigure 7 shows that in both cases there seems to be a large variation in frequency offset measurement, which is due to an artifact in the design of the mobile device used for the tests. The Automatic Frequency Control (AFC) loop used for synchronization allows the correction to drift within a certain band of error. This is important so as to avoid unnecessary rapid correction changes that may occur in deep fading situations.Figure 8 shows the same data set when the delta between the successive measurements is considered, referred to as "delta raw data". The delta raw data for the first case is generally indicated at 810, and the delta raw data for the second case is generally indicated at 812.
This is equivalent to removing the DC offset in the AFC loop. Here one can easily observe the distinct difference between the two cases of pedestrian and the vehicle. The variation in the frequency error measurement for the pedestrian is very small. - In some embodiments, a maximum change in frequency offset over an observation period is determined and this is converted to a speed parameter as described previously. In some embodiments, the speed parameter thus determined is used as a new channel quality parameter.
- Advantageously, with this approach, there is no requirement for storage of a large amount of data. This approach is applied to the data for the first and second cases defined above, and the result is plotted in
Figure 9 . Specifically, a frequency offset variation is determined as a maximum change in frequency offset over a 20 second interval, and the result is converted to a speed estimate: - In
Figure 9 ,curve 820 shows the speed estimate computed from data for the first case, whilecurve 822 shows the speed estimate computed from the data for the second case. -
Figures 10 and11 are plots of further data taken under different conditions. Specifically,Figure 10 shows the delta raw data for a further pedestrian case generally indicated at 850, and shows the delta raw data for a further vehicle case for a drive through street and HW401 in the Toronto area, generally indicated at 852. In that drive, there were many stops done in addition to the traffic lights.Figure 11 shows speed estimates determined from the delta raw data using the method described previously. Specifically,curve 860 is a plot of speed estimate for the further pedestrian case, andcurve 862 is a plot of speed estimated for the further vehicle case. One can easily pick up the stops from the plots. The straight dashed line in the figure indicated at 864 corresponds to the speed of 20 km/h and might, for example, be used as a threshold for selecting between pedestrian vs. vehicular speeds. - Referring now to
Figure 12 , shown is a block diagram of amobile communication device 700 that may implement mobile device related methods described herein.
It is to be understood that themobile device 700 is shown with very specific details for example purposes only. - A processing device (a microprocessor 728) is shown schematically as coupled between a
keyboard 714 and adisplay 726. Themicroprocessor 728 controls operation of thedisplay 726, as well as overall operation of themobile device 700, in response to actuation of keys on thekeyboard 714 by a user. - The
mobile device 700 has a housing that may be elongated vertically, or may take on other sizes and shapes (including clamshell housing structures). Thekeyboard 714 may include a mode selection key, or other hardware or software for switching between text entry and telephony entry. - In addition to the
microprocessor 728, other parts of themobile device 700 are shown schematically. These include: acommunications subsystem 770; a short-range communications subsystem 702; thekeyboard 714 and thedisplay 726, along with other input/output devices including a set ofLEDS 704, a set of auxiliary I/O devices 706, aserial port 708, aspeaker 711 and amicrophone 712; as well as memory devices including aflash memory 716 and a Random Access Memory (RAM) 718; and variousother device subsystems 720. Themobile device 700 may have abattery 721 to power the active elements of themobile device 700. Themobile device 700 is in some embodiments a two-way radio frequency (RF) communication device having voice and data communication capabilities. In addition, themobile device 700 in some embodiments has the capability to communicate with other computer systems via the Internet. - Operating system software executed by the
microprocessor 728 is in some embodiments stored in a persistent store, such as theflash memory 716, but may be stored in other types of memory devices, such as a read only memory (ROM) or similar storage element. In some embodiments, the RAT-specific routing information are stored in theflash memory 716. In some embodiments, the RAT-specific flow control parameters are also stored in theflash memory 716. In addition, system software, specific device applications, or parts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store, such as theRAM 718. Communication signals received by themobile device 700 may also be stored to theRAM 718. - The
microprocessor 728, in addition to its operating system functions, enables execution of software applications on themobile device 700. A predetermined set of software applications that control basic device operations, such as avoice communications module 730A and adata communications module 730B, may be installed on themobile device 700 during manufacture. In addition, a personal information manager (PIM)application module 730C may also be installed on themobile device 700 during manufacture. The PIM application is in some embodiments capable of organizing and managing data items, such as e-mail, calendar events, voice mails, appointments, and task items. The PIM application is also in some embodiments capable of sending and receiving data items via awireless network 710. In some embodiments, the data items managed by the PIM application are seamlessly integrated, synchronized and updated via thewireless network 710 with the device user's corresponding data items stored or associated with a host computer system. As well, additional software modules, illustrated asother software module 730N, may be installed during manufacture. - The routing information selection function described previously is an example of functionality that is included in a software module stored in memory. Information identifying the mobile device can be stored in the
Flash Memory 716 orRAM 718. The information identifying the mobile device is transmitted to the routing information configuration server, via thewireless network 710 usingtransmitter 752 andantenna 756. Configuration information received from the routing information configuration server for configuring the RAT-specific routing information on the mobile device is received via thewireless network 710 over the air byantenna 754 andreceiver 750. It may alternatively be preloaded at factory time or configured manually by the user or IT administrator. The configuration information may be stored in theFlash Memory 716 orRAM 718. - Communication functions, including data and voice communications, are performed through the
communication subsystem 770, and possibly through the short-range communications subsystem 702. Thecommunication subsystem 770 includes areceiver 750, atransmitter 752 and one or more antennas, illustrated as a receiveantenna 754 and a transmitantenna 756. In addition, thecommunication subsystem 770 also includes a processing module, such as a digital signal processor (DSP) 758, and local oscillators (LOs) 760. The specific design and implementation of thecommunication subsystem 770 is dependent upon the communication network in which themobile device 700 is intended to operate. For example, thecommunication subsystem 770 of themobile device 700 may be designed to operate with the Mobitex™, DataTAC™ or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) mobile data communication networks and also designed to operate with any of a variety of voice communication networks, such as Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Personal Communications Service (PCS), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), etc. Other types of data and voice networks, both separate and integrated, may also be utilized with themobile device 700. The particular devices under consideration here are multi-mode mobile devices, and as such they include hardware and/or software for implementing at least two RATs. More specifically, in a particular example, there would be arespective communication subsystem 770 for each RAT implemented by the device. - Network access may vary depending upon the type of communication system. For example, in the Mobitex™ and DataTAC™ networks, mobile devices are registered on the network using a unique Personal Identification Number (PIN) associated with each device. In GPRS networks, however, network access is typically associated with a subscriber or user of a device. A GPRS device therefore typically has a subscriber identity module, commonly referred to as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, in order to operate on a GPRS network.
- When network registration or activation procedures have been completed, the
mobile device 700 may send and receive communication signals over thecommunication network 710. Signals received from thecommunication network 710 by the receiveantenna 754 are routed to thereceiver 750, which provides for signal amplification, frequency down conversion, filtering, channel selection, etc., and may also provide analog to digital conversion. Analog-to-digital conversion of the received signal allows theDSP 758 to perform more complex communication functions, such as demodulation and decoding. In a similar manner, signals to be transmitted to thenetwork 710 are processed (e.g., modulated and encoded) by theDSP 758 and are then provided to thetransmitter 752 for digital to analog conversion, frequency up conversion, filtering, amplification and transmission to the communication network 710 (or networks) via the transmitantenna 756. - In addition to processing communication signals, the
DSP 758 provides for control of thereceiver 750 and thetransmitter 752. For example, gains applied to communication signals in thereceiver 750 and thetransmitter 752 may be adaptively controlled through automatic gain control algorithms implemented in theDSP 758. - In a data communication mode, a received signal, such as a text message or web page download, is processed by the
communication subsystem 770 and is input to themicroprocessor 728. The received signal is then further processed by themicroprocessor 728 for an output to thedisplay 726, or alternatively to some other auxiliary I/O devices 706. A device user may also compose data items, such as e-mail messages, using thekeyboard 714 and/or some other auxiliary I/O device 706, such as a touchpad, a rocker switch, a thumb-wheel, or some other type of input device. The composed data items may then be transmitted over thecommunication network 710 via thecommunication subsystem 770. - In a voice communication mode, overall operation of the device is substantially similar to the data communication mode, except that received signals are output to a
speaker 711, and signals for transmission are generated by amicrophone 712. Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem, may also be implemented on themobile device 700. In addition, thedisplay 716 may also be utilized in voice communication mode, for example, to display the identity of a calling party, the duration of a voice call, or other voice call related information. - The short-
range communications subsystem 702 enables communication between themobile device 700 and other proximate systems or devices, which need not necessarily be similar devices. For example, the short-range communications subsystem may include an infrared device and associated circuits and components, or a Bluetooth™ communication module to provide for communication with similarly-enabled systems and devices. - The AFC functionality described previously which determines the frequency offset might for example be implemented as part of
DSP section 758. The speed parameter and/or channel quality parameter determination might for example be done in theprocessor section 728. - Numerous modifications and variations of the present application are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the application may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
Claims (15)
- A method comprising:receiving a signal over a wireless communications channel (4-1);making a plurality of frequency offset measurements in respect of the signal (4-2);determining a measure of variation of the frequency offset measurements (4-3);determining at least one of a channel quality parameter and a speed parameter as a function of the measure of variation of the frequency offset measurements (4-4).
- The method of claim 1 wherein making frequency offset measurements in respect of the signal comprises:making adjustments (54) to a frequency of a local frequency source (52) to synchronize with a remote frequency source;using the adjustments to the frequency as said frequency offset measurements.
- The method of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein determining a measure of variation of the frequency offset measurements comprises:determining a variance of the plurality of frequency offset measurements.
- The method of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein determining a measure of variation of the frequency offset measurements comprises:estimating a probability distribution function (PDF) of the frequency offset measurements;determining the measure of variation from the PDF.
- The method of claim 4 wherein determining the measure of variation from the PDF comprises determining a width of the PDF.
- The method of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein determining the measure of variation of the frequency offset measurements comprises:determining differences between consecutive frequency offset measurements;determining the measure of variation based on the differences.
- The method of claim 6 wherein determining the measure of variation based on the differences comprises determining a maximum difference over an observation period.
- The method of any of the preceding claims wherein determining the speed parameter comprises:speed = K x (measure of variation of frequency offset measurements)
where K is a constant. - The method of any of claims 1 to 7 wherein determining the speed parameter comprises:defining a plurality of speed ranges;associating each range of the plurality of speed ranges with a corresponding range in the variation in the timing offset measurements or frequency offset measurements;determining a particular range of the plurality of ranges in the variation in the timing offset measurements or frequency offset measurements within which a current variation in the timing offset measurements or frequency offset measurements falls.
- The method of claim 9 wherein the plurality of speed ranges comprise:at least one range associated with pedestrian speeds;at least one range associated with higher than pedestrian speeds.
- The method of any of the preceding claims further comprising:transmitting an indication of at least one of the channel quality parameter and the speed parameter (4-5).
- A mobile device configured to execute the method of any one of claims 1 to 11.
- The mobile device of claim 12 comprising:at least one antenna (10) for receiving a signal;a local frequency source;a frequency offset determiner (12)configured to determine frequency offset measurements between a frequency of the local frequency source and a frequency of the signal;a parameter determiner (16) configured to determine a measure of variation of the frequency offset measurements and to determine at least one of a channel quality parameter and a speed parameter as a function of the measure of variation of the frequency offset measurements.
- The mobile device of claim 13 wherein the frequency offset determiner comprises an automatic frequency controller (30) configured to make adjustments to the frequency of the local frequency source to synchronize with a remote frequency source, wherein the adjustments to the frequency are used as said frequency offset measurements.
- A computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for execution by a mobile device, that when executed, cause the mobile device to execute the method of any one of claims 1 to 11.
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP20090154040 EP2224606B1 (en) | 2009-02-27 | 2009-02-27 | A method and system for characterizing a radio channel of a wireless network using variability of synchronization |
PCT/CA2010/000240 WO2010096910A1 (en) | 2009-02-27 | 2010-02-26 | Method and system for characterizing a radio channel of a wireless network using variability of synchronization |
CA2753765A CA2753765C (en) | 2009-02-27 | 2010-02-26 | Method and system for characterizing a radio channel of a wireless network using variability of synchronization |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP20090154040 EP2224606B1 (en) | 2009-02-27 | 2009-02-27 | A method and system for characterizing a radio channel of a wireless network using variability of synchronization |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2224606A1 true EP2224606A1 (en) | 2010-09-01 |
EP2224606B1 EP2224606B1 (en) | 2012-10-03 |
Family
ID=40886204
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20090154040 Active EP2224606B1 (en) | 2009-02-27 | 2009-02-27 | A method and system for characterizing a radio channel of a wireless network using variability of synchronization |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2224606B1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2753765C (en) |
WO (1) | WO2010096910A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2013066260A2 (en) * | 2011-11-04 | 2013-05-10 | Zte Wistron Telecom Ab | Method and apparatus for estimating speed of a mobile terminal |
US20210153145A1 (en) * | 2019-11-18 | 2021-05-20 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Methods and apparatus for frequency synchronization communication |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR102396353B1 (en) * | 2017-12-06 | 2022-05-12 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Electronic device for controlling clock frequency and operating method thereof |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1997034372A1 (en) | 1996-03-15 | 1997-09-18 | Motorola Inc. | Method and apparatus for power control in a communication system |
WO1998024251A2 (en) | 1996-11-27 | 1998-06-04 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | Method for estimating speed of a mobile station in a cellular communications system |
EP1052820A1 (en) * | 1999-05-10 | 2000-11-15 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Method and apparatus to determine the speed of mobile communications apparatus |
WO2003077445A1 (en) * | 2002-02-18 | 2003-09-18 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | Doppler shift and spread estimation method and apparatus |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6832080B1 (en) * | 2000-09-12 | 2004-12-14 | Ericsson, Inc. | Apparatus for and method of adapting a radio receiver using control functions |
US8064913B2 (en) * | 2007-03-21 | 2011-11-22 | Wi-Lan Inc. | Methods and apparatus for identifying subscriber station mobility |
-
2009
- 2009-02-27 EP EP20090154040 patent/EP2224606B1/en active Active
-
2010
- 2010-02-26 WO PCT/CA2010/000240 patent/WO2010096910A1/en active Application Filing
- 2010-02-26 CA CA2753765A patent/CA2753765C/en active Active
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1997034372A1 (en) | 1996-03-15 | 1997-09-18 | Motorola Inc. | Method and apparatus for power control in a communication system |
WO1998024251A2 (en) | 1996-11-27 | 1998-06-04 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | Method for estimating speed of a mobile station in a cellular communications system |
EP1052820A1 (en) * | 1999-05-10 | 2000-11-15 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Method and apparatus to determine the speed of mobile communications apparatus |
WO2003077445A1 (en) * | 2002-02-18 | 2003-09-18 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | Doppler shift and spread estimation method and apparatus |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2013066260A2 (en) * | 2011-11-04 | 2013-05-10 | Zte Wistron Telecom Ab | Method and apparatus for estimating speed of a mobile terminal |
WO2013066260A3 (en) * | 2011-11-04 | 2013-07-11 | Zte Wistron Telecom Ab | Method and apparatus for estimating speed of a mobile terminal |
CN104105984A (en) * | 2011-11-04 | 2014-10-15 | Zte维创通讯公司 | Method and apparatus for estimating speed of a mobile terminal |
CN104105984B (en) * | 2011-11-04 | 2017-04-12 | Zte维创通讯公司 | Method and apparatus for estimating speed of a mobile terminal |
US9736626B2 (en) | 2011-11-04 | 2017-08-15 | Zte Wistron Telecom Ab | Method and apparatus for estimating speed of a mobile terminal |
US20210153145A1 (en) * | 2019-11-18 | 2021-05-20 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Methods and apparatus for frequency synchronization communication |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2010096910A1 (en) | 2010-09-02 |
CA2753765A1 (en) | 2010-09-02 |
EP2224606B1 (en) | 2012-10-03 |
CA2753765C (en) | 2014-06-17 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
JP4851186B2 (en) | Calibration and correction system for satellite localization system | |
EP1792202A2 (en) | Method and system for frequency drift prediction | |
US9002292B2 (en) | Method and system for characterizing a radio channel of a wireless network using variability of synchronization | |
US8706051B2 (en) | Device and method for adjusting loop filter gain in automatic frequency controller | |
JP6147821B2 (en) | Reference oscillator management for wireless devices with position determination function | |
EP1975641B1 (en) | Determining the change in time at a mobile terminal | |
EP2490389A1 (en) | Apparatus, method and computer program for determining a frequency offset | |
JPH11513482A (en) | Positioning system | |
CN1440509A (en) | Method and apparatus for compensating local oscillator frequency error | |
KR20130108662A (en) | Affecting electronic device positioning functions based on measured communication network signal parameters | |
JP2006518977A (en) | Forward link repeater frequency watermarking system | |
EP2224606B1 (en) | A method and system for characterizing a radio channel of a wireless network using variability of synchronization | |
WO2007036866A2 (en) | A method, a program and a module to estimate a doppler maximum frequency and an oscillator frequency offset, receiver including the module | |
EP0762698A2 (en) | Frequency estimation using iterative filtering, particularly for cellular telephony system | |
KR100443227B1 (en) | Automatic frequency control with adjacent channel interference protection | |
CN102209332A (en) | Control strategy configuration method and device based on movement speed of terminal | |
Wang et al. | Carrier phase tracking architecture for positioning in LTE networks under channel fading conditions | |
US7107056B2 (en) | Method and system for estimating movement speed of mobile unit | |
US20100231444A1 (en) | Positioning receiver and positioning method | |
KR100817015B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for tracking clock frequency in mb-ofdm system | |
CN100589465C (en) | Automatic frequency control system in receiver | |
Alqudah | Power analysis and modeling based on field measurements using 3.5 GHz WiMAX network | |
KR100723459B1 (en) | Apparatus and method for downlink channel prediction scheme using feedback signal in wireless mobile communication systems | |
US9629110B2 (en) | Wireless communication apparatus and method performing signal scanning to determine the strongest signal useable for stabilizing a local oscillator | |
CN115884299A (en) | Terminal communication mode adjusting method and device, terminal and storage medium |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20090301 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL BA RS |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20110217 |
|
AKX | Designation fees paid |
Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 578389 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20121015 Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602009010121 Country of ref document: DE Effective date: 20121129 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: T3 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 578389 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20121003 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121003 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG4D |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121003 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121003 Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20130114 Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121003 Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20130203 Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20130103 Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121003 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20130204 Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121003 Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121003 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20130104 Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121003 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121003 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20130103 Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121003 Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121003 Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121003 Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121003 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PFA Owner name: BLACKBERRY LIMITED, CA Free format text: FORMER OWNER: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED, CA |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121003 Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121003 |
|
RAP2 | Party data changed (patent owner data changed or rights of a patent transferred) |
Owner name: BLACKBERRY LIMITED |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20130704 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20130228 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602009010121 Country of ref document: DE Effective date: 20130704 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20130228 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20130228 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121003 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: MM4A |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20130227 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121003 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R082 Ref document number: 602009010121 Country of ref document: DE Representative=s name: MERH-IP MATIAS ERNY REICHL HOFFMANN, DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R082 Ref document number: 602009010121 Country of ref document: DE Representative=s name: MERH-IP MATIAS ERNY REICHL HOFFMANN, DE Effective date: 20140926 Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R081 Ref document number: 602009010121 Country of ref document: DE Owner name: BLACKBERRY LIMITED, WATERLOO, CA Free format text: FORMER OWNER: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED, WATERLOO, ONTARIO, CA Effective date: 20140926 Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R082 Ref document number: 602009010121 Country of ref document: DE Representative=s name: MERH-IP MATIAS ERNY REICHL HOFFMANN PATENTANWA, DE Effective date: 20140926 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: TR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121003 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20130227 Ref country code: MK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121003 Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO Effective date: 20090227 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 9 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Payment date: 20230226 Year of fee payment: 15 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20230223 Year of fee payment: 15 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20230227 Year of fee payment: 15 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20230223 Year of fee payment: 15 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Payment date: 20240226 Year of fee payment: 16 |